2020 Santa Anita Derby Picks, Predictions and Odds

Santa Anita Derby
Betting Resources and Picks

• Date: Saturday, June 6
• Post-Time: 5:44 p.m. ET
• TV Coverage: FS1, NBC, NBCSN, TVG
• Race: 8
• Distance-Length: Dirt, 1 1/8 Miles
• Qualification: Three-year-olds
• Track: Santa Anita Park
• Location: Arcadia, California

Santa Anita Park in California will host the Santa Anita Derby and 11 total races on Saturday June 6, 2020. (AP)

Santa Anita Derby
Picks Analysis

1 – Friar’s Road (20-1)

I will never understand running a maiden in races like this. I’ll just never understand it.

2 – Rushie (8-1)

Has won two of his three starts since stretching out to two turns with his lone defeat coming at the hands of the undefeated Charlatan, one of the likely favorites for the Belmont Stakes in two weeks. He should be able to work out a perfect trip behind the two speeds in here and could upset if the race unfolds how I think it will.

3 – Shooters Shoot (8-1)

This guy could give Authentic fits on the front end. He’s just as fast and he’s drawn inside of the favorite. He was gutsy in his allowance tally at Oaklawn last out where he dueled from gate-to-wire. Needs to get an extra eighth of a mile and I’m not sure he could do that under ideal circumstances.

4 – Anneau d’Or (15-1)

Last year, he fell a head and a neck shy of being the Two-Year-Old Eclipse champ and B.C. Juvenile winner. This year, he’s been terrible. Lone win came in his debut on turf. It might be time for him to get back on the lawn.

5 – Azul Coast (15-1)

Romped in his debut going a mile at Los Alamitos in December but was no match for the chalk when a long way behind him when second in the Sham. El Camino Real Derby win as the 6-5 chalk at Golden Gate over their synthetic surface was workmanlike last out.

6 – Honor A.P. (9-5)

It’s been 15 years since the trainer and jock teamed up to shock the world when Giacomo stormed home to win the Kentucky Derby at 50-1. This guy wouldn’t be a surprise. He needs to find two-plus lengths on the winner as he gets his San Felipe rematch a little later in this event than expected. He figures to get a solid pace to run into and should appreciate the added distance more than the others.

7 – Authentic (4-5)

Nadal is retired. Charlatan is undefeated in three starts but rumors abound that he tested positive in his Arkansas Derby win. Cezanne, a $3.65 million purchase is set to debut earlier on the card. They are all trained by Bob Baffert, like this guy, who has kind of become the forgotten son. I mean, all he’s done is win all three starts while never threatened, including the Sham and San Felipe. He figures to get pressure on the front end and has to deal with a little added distance but it’s hard to really knock him. Only thing not to like is the price. You’re allowed to like another horse in here to win, and I do, but it’s hard to say anything bad about him.